Stories from 7 August 2008
Russia: Remembering Wilhelm Gustloff
Copydude reflects upon the sinking in 1944 of Wilhelm Gustloff – history's biggest civilian maritime catastrophy – inspired by a book on Kaliningrad by Isabel Denny.
Russia: Review of the New Cold War
The 8th Circle reviews Edward Lucas’ book The New Cold War.
Balkans: No Progress for Minorities in EU-Integration
Romano Them discusses why the countries of Southeast Europe make little or no progress in improving the lives of marginalised minorities – at least judging European Union reports.
India: No team, only coaches at the Olympics
While the Indian Hockey team didn't make it pass the qualifiers for the Beijing Olympics, but as Smoking Signals points out, four hockey coaches are being sent.
Bangladesh: Local Elections
Unheard Voices poses some questions in the context of the local government elections held recently in Bangladesh.
Pakistan: Impeachment
All Things Pakistan on the possibility of the Pakistani President Musharraf being impeached.
Cuba: Role of the Media
As one Havana-based blogger, Circles Robinson, is optimistic about Cuban media charting a new course, another, Yoani Sanchez, criticizes the media's complacency in reporting on issues like domestic violence: “How...
Cuba: Hunger Strike Over
Uncommon Sense reports that four Cuban political prisoners have ended their hunger strike.
Barbados, Jamaica: Nice Is as Nice Does
Living in Barbados maintains that the Smile Barbados campaign, aimed at “encouraging people to show greater respect for each other” is a failure – and goes on to relate his...
Armenia: Blogger Interviews Acting U.S. Ambassador
Blogian interviews the acting U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, Chargé d’Affaires Joseph Pennington. In an extended entry, the blog details some of the main points from the interview which includes reference...
Guyana: For the Record
Signifyin’ Guyana supports the call for the government to publish a collection of the speeches of the country's first Executive President, Forbes Burnham: “They are a valuable part of Guyana's...
Korea: Threatening Books and Their Popularity
Several days ago, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) in Korea categorized 23 books as threatening books and decided to forbid those books in libraries in the army units because...
North Caucasus: Persecution of Journalists
Dzutsev's Weblog reports that Rosa Malsagova, editor of an Ingush news web site, has had to leave Russia because of alleged political persecution. The blog says that killings of civilians...
Japan: Atomic Bombing Anniversary
Yesterday was the the anniversary of the atomic bombing in Japan, Tokyogenso expresses hope for world peace. Martin from Kurashi quotes from the NHK documentary about the effects of atomic...
South Korea: Anti Bush / LMB Protest
CINA posts some photos and links of the anti-Bush and President Lee Myung-bak protest on 5 of August.
Slovenia: Relaxation and History
Una española/gallega en Eslovenia [Spanish] describes a visit to the Topolšica spa in Slovenia, where the surrender of the German troups occupying the region was signed in 1945, ending the...
Japan: Tama Art University
Chiemi from Pink mag wrote a feature story about the creative pedagogy in Tama Art University.
Slovenia: A Sunday in Radovljica
Camille Acey of Adventures in Wheelville posted several pictures of a Sunday in Radovljica, a town in the Slovenian alpine region, including some of a medieval art fair.
Estonia: Hemingway and Promotional Storytelling
Vello Vikerkaar advocates for the substitution of Estonia's inane slogan ‘Welcome to Estonia’ for a story worthy of Hemingway, who once said “In every port in the world, at least...
Russia: A Troublesome Autumn?
Windows to Russia! posts a list of worrisome developments in Russia for the coming autumn.
Russia: Corporate Raiding
Robert Amsterdam posts a video of a phenomenon that has become commonplace in Russian business in the last 15 years: corporate raiding or hostile takeovers of companies by violent means.
